Whether you are looking for a loving companion or a playmate for your kids, adopting a dog can be a great option. Selecting your first dog can be exciting yet thrilling. Each dog breed is unique in terms of energy level, size, appearance, and grooming needs.
Small dog breeds are cute, adorable, and easy to carry everywhere. Their compact size makes them well-suited for apartment living.
Do you know? A small dog breed usually weighs less than 22 pounds and is shorter than 16 inches.
Different small dog breeds differ in their temperament, ease of training, behavior towards strangers, and prey drive. Above all, proper training and socialization can sometimes supersede dog DNA, making your pup the most well-behaved among all.
Have a look at the physical and behavioral traits of the top 7 tiny dog breeds for first-time owners.
Tiny Dog Breeds for First-Time Dog Owners
1. Maltese
Breed Profile
Height: 7 to 9 inches
Weight: Under 7 pounds
Life Expectancy: 12 to 15 years
Maltese is the first breed that comes to your mind when you think of a small white dog. These affectionate and intelligent dogs are known for their charming and playful nature. Maltese are alert and fearless fellows who make excellent pets.
Maltese are low-shedding hypoallergenic dogs, well-suited for allergy sufferers. Due to their compact size and high adaptability, Maltese are good first dogs for apartment dwellers.
However, they are fragile and can be a bit impatient. That is why we would not recommend them for households with young kids.
Maltese are lively and generally healthy dogs who will be a part of your life for many years to come. They need around 30 minutes of daily exercise, including short walks and playtime, to burn off excess energy.
2. Bichon Frise
Breed Profile
Height: 9.5 to 11.5 inches
Weight: 12 to 18 pounds
Life Expectancy: 14 to 15 years
Another small white dog breed, Bichon Frise, is the little fluffball with a big heart. These curious, friendly, and eager-to-please canines can be trained very easily. These traits make the Bichon Frise well-suited for first-time dog owners.
Bichon Frises are playful and confident pups who like getting attention. They get along well with kids and other dogs and have easygoing personalities. These moderately active dogs do not require excessive exercise. Only 20 to 30 minutes of physical activity will suffice.
Bichon Frises are loving companions who cannot be left alone for extended periods. Otherwise, they will suffer from separation anxiety.
These cute buddies do not shed, but their beautiful coat requires regular grooming. Schedule professional grooming sessions for your Bichon Frise every couple of months.
3. Havanese
Breed Profile
Height: 8.5 to 11.5 inches
Weight: 7 to 13 pounds
Life Expectancy: 14 to 16 years
Havanese are affectionate dogs who get along well with children and other dogs. These social butterflies love the company of people and make excellent family dogs for first-time owners. Havanese is an easy-to-handle breed due to its high trainability and moderate exercise needs.
According to PDSA, these playful pooches require 30 minutes of daily exercise. Despite their small size, Havanese are very intelligent and lively. Their silky hair requires regular brushing and grooming. You can give your Havanese dog the famous “puppy cut” to make grooming a bit easier.
Havanese are generally healthy, but they can suffer from certain health conditions like cataracts, hip dysplasia, heart murmurs, and deafness. They thrive on attention, so if you are planning to adopt a Havanese, get ready to shower them with lots of love!
4. Pomeranian
Breed Profile
Height: 6 to 7 inches
Weight: 3 to 7 pounds
Life Expectancy: 12 to 16 years
Pomeranian is a popular toy dog breed known for its intelligence and high trainability. Their compact size and vivacious personalities make them well-suited as first dogs for apartment dwellers. Poms get along well with children and other pets.
They are known to form strong bonds with single owners as well as families. Poms need moderate exercise every day for their mental and physical stimulation. These low-maintenance dogs do well with indoor playtime and short walks.
Poms are affectionate and loyal companions. They are good companions and can be easily trained to follow commands using positive reinforcement methods. These playful pups make wonderful cuddle buddies.
5. Coton de Tulear
Breed Profile
Height: 9 to 11 inches
Weight: 8 to 15 pounds
Life Expectancy: 15 to 19 years
Coton de Tulear has been named after a city of Madagascar called Tulear. It is a small yet charming dog recognized by its cotton-like white and soft fur. They have a sensitive nature and form strong bonds with their owners. They have been kept for comfort and companionship.
The American Kennel Club describes them as charming, bright, and happy-go-lucky canines. Coton is small but robust and sturdy. Dog lovers consider them as witty, boisterous, and clownish fellows. These cuddly buddies make excellent lap dogs.
Coton de Tulear is a watchful dog that always alerts you when they sense something wrong. They are generally friendly and get along well with other dogs. Their intelligence makes them highly trainable. Due to these characteristics, they are ideal for first-time dog owners.
6. Bolognese
Breed Profile
Height: 10 to 12 inches
Weight: 6 to 10 pounds
Life Expectancy: 12 to 14 years
Hailing from Bologna, these are fluffy dogs with white hair. These dapper and diminutive pups are popular for their ruffled coats and docile nature. Bolognese are the tiny dogs that can be trained easily and form strong bonds with their owners.
Bolognese dogs are friendly and affectionate, known for their adaptability. Although their coat requires regular grooming, their compact size makes them well-suited for novice owners. They thrive on human attention, and if left alone for extended periods, they can suffer from separation anxiety.
Bolognese are good-natured and easygoing lap dogs. They are moderately energetic and, according to Purina, require 60 minutes of daily exercise to stay fit and healthy. They are suitable for first-time pet parents who have enough time to keep this clever little dog entertained.
7. French Bulldog
Breed Profile
Height: 11 to 13 inches
Weight: Under 28 inches
Life Expectancy: 10 to 12 years
The popularity of French Bulldogs has increased a lot in the past few years. These short and muscular dogs are characterized by their wrinkled and smooshed faces. Their big eyes, upright ears, and playful antics will simply melt your heart.
Frenchies are excellent for first-time dog owners because of their easy trainability and love for their humans. They have a mischievous side and will often make you laugh. However, they can be a little wary of new situations.
Proper training and socialization allow them to behave well. Frenchies tend to have a laid-back demeanor. They need 30 to 60 minutes of daily exercise for adequate physical and mental stimulation. Exercise includes short walks and playtime in the yard.
Conclusion
Some tiny dog breeds make excellent pets for novice pet parents due to their intelligence, high trainability, and easy handling. If you are planning to adopt a small dog, one of the dog breeds mentioned in this article might be the right fit for you.
